Sticking deep ice core drills: Why, and how to recover

Title Sticking deep ice core drills: Why, and how to recover
Publication Type
Journal Article
Year
2002
Author(s) Niels S Gundestrup , Sigfús J Johnsen, Steffen B Hansen, Hitoshi Shoji, Pavel Talalay, Frank Wilhelms
Journal/ Publication
Memoirs of National Institute of Polar Research. Special issue 56
Pagination
181-195
ISSN
03860744
Abstract

The GISP deep drill became stuck in 1981, but was free the following year. The NGRIP/EPICA deep drill has suffered from two big setbacks: The drill is stuck both at NGRIP in Greenland and at Dome C in Antarctica. Both events occurred in a period with routine drilling and high productivity. The reasons for the two events are believed to be different, but the chosen bore-hole liquid seems to be problematic. The densifier can adhere to the surface of the ice cuttings, making fine ice cuttings to sink in the liquid, in spite of a liquid density of 935kg/m^3. In spite of changed procedures and modified constructions, the drill became stuck again at NGRIP. It was freed using glycol, making use of both the temperature and temperature gradient in the hole.

File
URL
Special Collections International Workshop on Ice Drilling Technology Series, 5th International Workshop on Ice Drilling Technology
Categories Deep Drilling, Drilling Fluids, Stuck Drills
Equipment EPICA/NGRIP Drill
Citation Niels S Gundestrup , Sigfús J Johnsen, Steffen B Hansen, Hitoshi Shoji, Pavel Talalay, Frank Wilhelms ( 2002 ) Sticking deep ice core drills: Why, and how to recover. Memoirs of National Institute of Polar Research. Special issue 56 , 181-195 .
Lead Author
Niels S Gundestrup